Championship clubs to capitalize on Sheffield United contract disaster

According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, Derby County and Watford want to sign Ben Osborn, whose future at Sheffield United is up in the air.

It was initially believed that the Blades would activate a one-year extension written into Osborn’s contract, with Chris Wilder publicly stating that he wants the versatile midfielder to remain at the club for next season. However, a report from Nixon later emerged that United had opted against triggering the contract extension, and The Star would later state that this was due to the proposed takeover from an American consortium.

We’re more than two weeks away from this point and yet the fan base are none the wiser, leading to increased speculation over the futures of the likes of Ben Osborn, Oli McBurnie, John Egan, Daniel Jebbison and Adam Davies. So is the future of the football club itself.

Since signing from Nottingham Forest in the 2019/20 season, Osborn has made 134 appearances for the Blades, playing in a number of positions, often even deputizing at right-back and left-back.

While he’ll never dazzle you with individual skill and brilliance, Osborn is a team player that clubs love to have in the squad in case of an injury crisis, especially at Championship level.

Last season, Osborn made 24 Premier League appearances and provided two assists in that time.

Ben Osborn was forced to play on the left side of defense due to Sheffield United’s lack of depth in that position.

He seems very confused about Osborn’s future. One minute is nailed to stay. Next: Club refuses to trigger extension because proposed new owners want better than him. And now, it seems reports suggest the Blades can only afford the wages if a takeover is completed. One’s source must be far away, surely. If all is true, other clubs such as Watford and Derby may jump in and steal the 29-year-old away from the Blades.

Derby County would certainly make sense for Osborn; the versatile midfielder is actually a Rams supporter despite playing for their bitter rivals Nottingham Forest for half a decade.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Lewis O’Brien of Nottingham Forest during the pre-season friendly match between Nottingham Forest and Hertha Berlin at the Pirelli Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

As uncertainty grows over Osborn, Sheffield United are being linked with a number of central midfielders. Lewis O’Brien and Alan Browne are two players who have previously been mentioned, while a new report claims the Blades are targeting former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Steven Alzate.

The latter two are free agents, while Lewis O’Brien would demand a transfer fee to be paid to Forest, although the Reds are likely to offer the 25-year-old for a cut-price fee as he is deemed surplus to requirements by City Ground.

By the end of the summer window, the Blades could see Vinicius Souza and Ismaila Coulibaly sold, with Oliver Norwood and Ben Osborn leaving. It is vital that the Blades add quality and durability to the midfield.